The Members of the Royal Family
One of the most well-known monarchs in British royalty was Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the United Kingdom for a whopping 70 years. Pictured are several of her immediate family members, like her son, now King Charles III.
Also shown are Prince William, his wife Kate, their three children, Prince Harry and his wife Megan, and various other cousins and siblings. The current British royal family is nothing if not vast!
The Famous Buckingham Palace
Perhaps the most famous palace owned by the royals is Buckingham Palace. Built in 1703 and located in Westminster, it’s a common stop on any tour of London and it acts as the administrative headquarters. It’s actually the 14th largest palace in the world!
Queen Victoria was the first monarch to ever actually live at Buckingham Palace, and she was also the first royal family member to do the famous “balcony wave,” which has since become a royal tradition.
Official Residence of the Royal Family
Even though the palace is enormous, no one lives there except the British monarch and their immediate family, meaning it was home to Queen Elizabeth II and is now home to King Charles. It’s actually considered the official residence of the British Monarch.
If you’ve ever worried about your home being small, you may not want to read this bit — Buckingham Palace has 775 rooms, 52 of which are royal and guest bedrooms, and 78 of which are bathrooms! At least no royal family member will ever have to wait to use the “loo.”
The Glamorous Kensington Palace
Anyone who is a big fan of William, Harry, and Diana is probably familiar with Kensington Palace. It’s also known for being where Queen Victoria first laid eyes on Prince Albert, being home to a great love story.
The beautiful building was also home to tons of glamorous, incredible parties thrown by Princess Margaret. Anyone could see why — between such gorgeous gardens outside and stunning décor inside, who wouldn’t want to attend a party there?
William and Harry’s Childhood Home
Many royals have called Kensington Palace home throughout the years — the most recent being Prince William, Kate Middleton, and their three children. Other famous members have lived there in the past, though.
The former queen’s sister, Princess Margaret called the palace home, as well as Princess Diana, pictured here. Princess Diana was well-beloved by millions around the world. It makes sense that one of her children would now live here in their childhood home.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
Before it became a palace, the Palace of Holyroodhouse was actually founded as a monastery way back in 1128! This palace in Scotland just looks historical, but it’s also the official residence of the queen in Scotland.
It’s easy to forget that the United Kingdom is actually made up of four countries — England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Holy Rood, which was the name of the abbey and therefore the palace, means “holy cross.”
Light and Dark Contrast
The palace contains the State Apartments, which Queen Elizabeth II (and now King Charles) would use when she visited the country, as well as lots of art, like many of the other palaces.
Here the queen can be seen meeting with Nicola Sturgeon. Her Majesty’s bright outfit provides quite the contrast to the dark background of the Holyroodhouse’s interior. That poor fireplace looks like it needs a bit of a sprucing up.
Hampton Court Palace
One of the more stunning buildings owned by the British royal family, Hampton Court Palace was actually the former seat of the Tudor dynasty (does the name King Henry VIII ring a bell?). But, he wasn’t the one who commissioned it.
That was actually Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, but King Henry liked it so much that he claimed it for himself. All six of his wives were brought to the palace. Was it haunted by the ones who came before?
Great Events in the Great Hall
The inside of the palace contains many rooms, one of which is the Great Hall. The room itself is gorgeous, but a lot of big events in history took place in this room.
Does the name William Shakespeare ring a bell? Hamlet and Macbeth were both first performed here. George II was the last monarch to live at this palace, though, and it’s now a museum open to the public.
Historic St. James’s Palace
Until the reign of Queen Victoria, St. James’s Palace was the residence of the English monarchs. It was actually built by the infamous monarch King Henry VIII between 1531 and 1536.
A lot of the original building is still standing, although it has of course had some updates throughout the years. It’s located in London in the Westminster area. Even though it’s not the monarchy’s main London residence anymore, it’s still a very important location for the family.
Room for Everyone
A lot of members of the royal family use St. James’s Palace as their base in London, including Princess Anne, the queen’s daughter. Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie shared an apartment there, too.
When you think of sharing a flat, you probably think of roommates in a small apartment, but that wasn’t the case for Beatrice and Eugenie — whose flat was rumored to have four floors. At least they definitely weren’t tripping over each other’s toes!
The Quaint Clarence House
It’s clear from looking at Clarence House that many royals prefer something a bit smaller than large places like St. James’s Palace. It doesn’t look like much, but it’s a very important royal home.
It was originally built between 1825 and 1827 for King William IV, but unfortunately, most of the original structure was destroyed due to world events in the 1940s. Clarence House is four stories and has got five bedrooms.
Home to the King
Clarence House has been home to many members of the royal family throughout the years, but at the moment it houses King Charles III himself and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla.
Many wonder whether Charles and Camilla will move to Buckingham Palace since it’s the official seat of the monarchy, but they have no clear plans to do so at the moment. Buckingham Palace is undergoing lots of renovations, and why move when they’re already cozy where they are?
Breathtaking Windsor Castle
Located a very convenient short 20 miles from Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle has been an icon in England for much longer than any of us — including the British royal family — have been alive.
William the Conqueror started building it around 1070 to protect the western approach to London, making this incredible building both the largest and oldest home to the British monarchy for over 1,000 years! This could definitely fit in an “My old home” Facebook group.
The Queen’s Final Resting Place
Windsor Castle was where former Queen Elizabeth II would go to escape the hustle and bustle of central London, and it was also chosen as her final resting place — where she rests with Prince Phillip, her husband.
It was said to be her favorite home, but that may have just been in England, because another palace we’ll see later on was said to be her favorite home in Scotland. Regardless, it’s hard to deny how happy she looks walking her corgis among the steps of Windsor.
The “Forgotten” Fort Belvedere
Fort Belvedere, which is located in Windsor Great Park, is often called the “forgotten castle” due to the fact that no royal has lived there for decades (although it’s currently occupied by private residents).
The last royal to live there was former King Edward VIII, who rose to the throne in 1936, but quickly deemed that the royal life wasn’t for him thanks to the Church being against him marrying Wallis Simpson, who had been twice-divorced.
Renovations and Abdications
Edward was determined, though. At the end of 1936 at Fort Belvedere, he signed his abdication papers and stepped down from the throne, therefore leaving Fort Belvedere behind for greener pastures in France.
They say that he said that he had “some of the happiest days” of his life at Fort Belvedere, and he did some pretty drastic renovations to the property when he lived there, like adding a pool! Because even royals like to go for a swim once in a while.
Baronial Balmoral Castle
We travel back to Scotland with Balmoral Castle, which is another stunning palace owned by the royal family. It was Queen Elizabeth II’s summer home, and a lot of historical events took place there.
It was purchased by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1852, but they say it was built around 1390, making it one of the older royal residences. Even so, the property seen here isn’t the original one. In fact, the royal couple tore down the original house and built the larger castle.
The Queen’s Summer Holidays
Among the events that took place here are now King Charles II’s and Princess Diana’s honeymoon, Harry and William finding out about the passing of their mother, and of course, Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
As seen in the photo, the queen spent her summer holidays at Balmoral each year, and a lot of people point to it as her favorite residence, not Windsor. Whichever was her favorite, she sure looks happy at Balmoral.
The Stone Craigowan Lodge
Located on the same property as Balmoral Castle is Craigowan Lodge, a smaller stone cottage that’s around a mile away from the main castle property. When you hear cottage, you tend to think of something small, but this home clearly isn’t.
Seven bedrooms isn’t exactly considered quaint, although we will admit that the exterior of the building gives quaint stone cottage vibes. Being right on the edge of a forest must be so peaceful.
A Hideaway From Tourists
Craigowan Lodge is probably most famous due to the fact that it was where then Prince Charles and Princess Diana would stay when they visited Balmoral, but it was also commonly used for another reason.
Former Queen Elizabeth II liked to arrive for her summer holiday in Scotland before the tourist season at Balmoral Castle was over, so she would stay in Craigowan Lodge to hide away from pesky tourists until the season finished.
Saving the Castle of Mey
Barrogill Castle, more commonly known as the Castle of Mey, was started in 1567 and completed by others as the earl who commissioned the building of the castle ran out of money!
The castle was in a pretty sorry state throughout the years until the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth, bought it in 1952. She restored it and became very enchanted by it. Who could blame her with that beautiful scenery surrounding it?
Visits Twice a Year
Here’s the Queen Mother enjoying her gorgeous garden at the Castle of Mey with her pups, an activity pretty much any normal person can relate to. Everyone knew how much she loved to spend time in her Scottish home.
She visited for around a month in August and a few weeks in October for several years until not long before she passed away. You can even see the story of how it was bought if you watch The Crown!
The Sizeable Sandringham House
In 1952, the former queen, Elizabeth II inherited Sandringham House, an absolutely massive property at 19,000 acres. The royal family has owned the property since 1862 when it was bought by the man who would become King Edward VII.
The house has four important rooms — the Saloon, which is used as the main reception room; the Ballroom, which acts as the main family room; the Dining Room, with many gorgeous tapestries; and the Drawing room, where visitors would go after dinners.
William and Kate’s Anmer Hall
On the Sandringham House property is Anmer Hall, which is the country home of the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, more affectionately known as William and Kate. Most royal family members have both a London residence and a country home.
Anmer Hall is thought to have 10 bedrooms, so theoretically, each of William and Kate’s children could have two bedrooms just because they want to! That much space probably isn’t needed, though, with such sprawling gardens to play in.
The Sprawling Barnwell Manor
This property may look like something straight out of Downton Abbey, but in reality, it’s yet another property owned by a member of the royal family. Barnwell Manor was bought by Prince Henry, the Duke of Gloucester at the time, in 1938.
Before that, it was owned by the Montagus as a gift from King Henry VII way back in 1540. These aren’t the Romeo and Juliet Montagues, though, despite Shakespeare living around the same time!
Not Royal for Much Longer
The manor now belongs to the current Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard. But while it was his childhood home, he and his family no longer live on the property, having relocated to Kensington Palace in 1995.
In fact, it may not be under their ownership for much longer, as they put it up for sale in October 2022 after Queen Elizabeth II’s passing! As far as we know, the manor has yet to be sold, probably because most people can’t afford it.
Thatched House Lodge
The unique thing about Thatched House Lodge is that it was originally two homes, not one! There were two houses built in 1673, but then were merged into one in 1771 and renamed.
If you look at this picture, it kind of makes sense. The parts with the window shutters look like the start of two separate identical buildings. What we want to know is why the rest of the windows don’t have shutters!
The Home of Princess Alexandra
Thatched House Lodge is currently inhabited by Princess Alexandra, also known as The Honourable Lady Ogilvy. She’s the cousin of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and has hosted many events in support of the royal family throughout the years.
A fun fact about her is that Princess Alexandra was the first British princess to go to an ordinary school, making her just like the rest of us (despite the fact that her home has six bedrooms and six reception rooms!).
More Frogs at Frogmore House
If you’re wondering why Frogmore House is called Frogmore House, the answer is surprisingly simple — the area originally had a very large number of frogs. There’s nothing better than a straightforward name.
It makes sense when you see the lush green grass and that the house is so close to a large pond; it’s the perfect environment for some little green guests. The contrast of the white house with the grass is gorgeous.
A Place to Entertain
Frogmore House became a royal residence in 1792, and while it was used as a residence by various royals throughout the years, there isn’t currently anyone living there. That doesn’t mean it isn’t useful, though.
The house is used for entertaining. Members of the family often have picnics there, which is understandable when looking at that gorgeous lawn, and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s evening reception was held there as well.
Little Frogmore Cottage
Also located on Frogmore estate, Frogmore Cottage is a four-bedroom, four-bathroom home that even contains a veggie garden and yoga studio, making it one of the more modern royal residences.
Queen Charlotte had it built in 1801, and it was actually first known as Double Garden Cottage. Many different people have lived there, but in 2019 it was renovated by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. It originally had 10 rooms.
Harry and Meghan’s Homebase
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are none other than Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and they lived in Frogmore Cottage before moving to California. They were understood to be keeping the cottage as their home base in the United Kingdom, though.
However, Princess Eugenie and her husband Jack Brooksbank were living there for a while, supposedly with the approval of Harry and Meghan. They’ve since moved out, so now the cottage stands awaiting the day Harry and Meghan return.
Graceful Ivy Cottage
Ivy Cottage is another home located within Kensington Palace. It’s a “grace-and-favor” home. If you’re like us and have no idea what that means, then it basically means a home owned by a monarch, leased rent-free to people in gratitude.
The cottage itself is really beautiful, with the red detailing and white really standing out against the dark gray stone. And of course, like any royal property, the lawn is perfectly manicured and lusciously green.
The Cottage Stands Empty
No one currently lives in Ivy Cottage, but the most recent residents were Princess Eugenie and her husband, Jack Brooksbank. They moved there a few months after getting engaged. It was their first home together.
They moved out in 2021, though, and moved into Harry and Meghan’s abandoned Frogmore Cottage home. Perhaps they needed a bigger place for their children and all of the princess’s art. It’s a shame, though, since they renovated the place extensively before even moving in.
The Modest Wren House
Once again we travel to Kensington Palace, but this time it’s to a little place called Wren House. It’s one of the few places that’s been home to a member of the royal family for an extended period of time.
Not much is known about the building, other than that it’s only two stories and that the building actually used to house staff at the palace. It looks like any other multi-level home you’d see in England, although it’s a bit larger.
A Pretty Humble Guy
Wren House is said to have five bedrooms and a beautiful walled-in garden, and the Duke of Kent and his wife have lived there since the 1970s. The duke is another of the late Queen Elizabeth’s cousins.
A fun fact about the duke is that he’s a pretty big tennis enthusiast. He’s often been seen at Wimbledon tennis tournaments, and sometimes he’s even presented the champions with their trophies. Oftentimes, other members of the family join him.
Saving Dumfries House
Dumfries House is a country house located in Scotland. It’s one of the few 18th-century houses that still retains much of its original furniture, making it very culturally significant for the United Kingdom.
The central part of the house is three stories, and it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens with a large fountain out front. It looks like a classic example of old-school sprawling English manors, and any person would drool over the idea of living there.
Serving a Greater Purpose
Dumfries House isn’t used as a royal residence, though, even though it’s owned by the royal family. It was actually bought and, therefore, rescued by now King Charles III, who renovated the large house for other uses.
It’s open to tours from the public, but it’s also used for a lot of educational endeavors, like this giant knitted art installation that the king and Camilla unveiled. What a great way to bring more color into the grounds.
The Old Royal Palace of Hatfield
Adding to the list of older residences owned by the royal family is The Old Palace of Hatfield Park. It was built in the late 1400s, and is a great example of medieval brickwork.
The pillars and raised areas of the old palace give it a very unique look, and the reddish color of the brick makes it stand out. Add on the extensive gardens, and you can see why Henry VIII chose it as the nursery for his three children.
Any Maximalist’s Dream
If there’s one thing that the old royal palace did not go for, it’s subtlety. It’s currently the home of Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, the 7th Marquess of Salisbury, but people can visit.
Seen here is one of the sitting rooms, and honestly, this room is any maximalist’s dream! The walls covered in portraits, the green velvet armchairs, and the plethora of lamps make such a big room seem surprisingly cozy.
The Santa Barbara Mansion
While living in the United Kingdom, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle inhabited Frogmore Cottage. But when Harry stepped down from his duties, the couple moved to Santa Barbara, California, and bought this gorgeous home for nearly $15 million.
The home boasts nine bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, meaning it definitely fits in with the other luxurious homes inhabited by royal family members, even if it isn’t technically owned by the royal family. We’re not sure what two people need with 19 bathrooms, though!
Moving on in California
Here fans of the couple got a glimpse of inside their home office. Sure, it’s just a corner, but that lush plant gives us hope that the rest of the home is just as beautiful.
The couple has said that they never plan to return to the United Kingdom, but we’re sure that this home is plenty big enough to give their two children, Lilibet and Archie, amazing childhood memories.
The Royal Yacht Britannia
Rounding off the list is perhaps the most unconventional of the residences owned by the British royal family. She sailed her first voyage in 1954, and spent 44 years serving the royal family.
There’s a long history of the royal family owning yachts, so of course the late Queen Elizabeth II was no exception. It was decommissioned in 1997 and is now a museum that also hosts various events. The queen gave it up due to the “costs being too great.”
A Home Decommissioned
The yacht is a whopping 412 feet long, and it has 23 luxury cabins for guests to sleep in. Queen Elizabeth truly loved the yacht, and even once said, “Britannia is the one place where I can truly relax.”
In fact, when Prime Minister John Major said that the yacht would be decommissioned, it was one of the few times that the queen was moved to tears. She must have really loved her memories on that boat.
40+ Royal Rules That Kate Middleton Has to Live By
Stop Eating Rule
The Queen yielded excessive power, and one of her weirdest rules was that everyone eating with her, including Kate, must stop eating once she was done. All members had to observe the Queen while eating and follow protocol.
Whether or not the Queen was conscious of the “stop eating” rule, all members had to stop eating when she decided to quit. Kate was supposed to abide by this rule, no matter how strange it may sound. It remains to be seen if King Charles will continue this rule.
All Women to Curtsy to the Queen
All women within the royal family, including Kate, must follow the tradition of curtsying to the Queen (now the King) the first time they meet during the day. This posture is a sign of respect, and this tradition has been practiced for centuries.
Kate is also supposed to curtsy to any other royals who outrank her. For example, the princesses born into the royal family outrank her if Prince William isn’t by her side. Even if they’re younger than her, she has to curtsy to them.
Reduce PDA
No matter how affectionate Kate may be to the Prince, they’re not supposed to show their love in public. As a general rule, public displays of affection (or PDA for short) are frowned upon in the royal family. Things like kissing or cuddling in public aren’t allowed.
Kate should keep a respectable distance from her loved one in public. This tradition is meant to help the royal family maintain their professional demeanor when dealing with members of the public.
No Political Views
Kate shouldn’t express any political views or opinions since she’s required to be neutral. The royal family shouldn’t meddle in political affairs, although Britain is a democracy with a parliament led by a Prime Minister.
The Members of Parliament are elected through a vote. The royal family members, however, don’t vote, so they remain neutral in the eyes of the public. While it’s not a law, it is a custom that royal members must follow.
Monopoly is Prohibited
The board game Monopoly is prohibited. Although Kate loves gaming, she cannot play this particular game since it portrays the royal family badly. Apart from Monopoly, there are other forbidden games that royal members should not play.
Playing games, in general, isn’t outlawed within the royal family, but Kate must choose her games wisely. She must always check the family’s rules before indulging in any activity.
No Shellfish
All members of the royal family are prohibited from eating shellfish or other types of rare meat when eating out. When going on an overseas trip, Kate and other members must eat certain foods to avoid food poisoning.
Banning shellfish is also meant to protect the royal family members from issues like allergic reactions. When they go on a trip, the royals must be protected against elements that can impact their health.
Garlic Isn’t Allowed
Garlic is prohibited at Buckingham Palace and other foods with too much onion. The Queen didn’t like garlic, and this led to its banning. Strange as it may sound, no one can go against the rules set by the late Queen.
The other thing is that meat consumed at the palace must be “well done” to suit the tastes of those with power and authority. Kate has to contend with all the rules when it comes to food selection and how it’s prepared.
Napkin Protocol
According to royal dining etiquette, all diners must wipe off leftover food with napkins to prevent their clothes from getting dirty. The napkins should be folded in half, so any stains aren’t visible.
The napkin rule is meant to promote cleanliness and isn’t a bad one. No one wants to see greasy spots or crumbs around the dinner table. All members must be responsible and make sure they maintain a clean environment.
Order of Entering a Room
The royal family doesn’t randomly walk into a room; there is an order that they should follow. They should enter the room according to their rank. Kate must walk behind her husband, and this rule must always be followed.
Additionally, all the royal family members had to trail behind the Queen, and now King Charles, at public functions. Kate must always know that rank is prioritized and that precedence has no compromise.
Check the Queen’s Purse
It’s a well-known secret now, but apparently, the late Queen had a whole set of signals to her servents that had to do with her purse. Everyone had to check her purse when the royal members were having dinner with the Queen. Once the Queen put her purse on the table, it was time to wrap up the gathering.
The signal meant that assistants must wind up everything. Also, like other royal family members, Kate couldn’t go to bed before the Queen. She had to wait for the Queen to return to her bedroom first.
Etiquette for Drinking Tea
The British are known for loving their tea, but they should do it in the right way. Kate and all royal members must use their thumb and index finger to maintain their grip on the top of the cup’s handle.
The middle finger must support the bottom of the cup. One should do it from the same spot to avoid messing the cup with lipstick when sipping tea. No one should leave stains on the cup.
Leave the Room in a Dignified Way
When Kate wants to use the restroom, she should say, “excuse me.” No one should leave the dinner table and say they want to visit the toilet. Letting other people know you want to relieve yourself is considered disgusting and incredibly inpolite.
Leaving the room without excusing yourself is a sign of disrespect which isn’t tolerated in the royal family. It’s enough for Kate to discreetly excuse herself when she wants to leave the room with other dignitaries.
Walking Rules
All royal women must always descend the stairs or walk with straight faces with their chins parallel to the ground. When posing for pictures, their chins should be in the same parallel position.
A royal lady like Kate shouldn’t walk looking down or sideways. Instead, she’s only allowed to look slightly to the side. Looking down is a sign that the royal lady might not be paying attention to different things happening around her.
Baby Births
The Queen was the first to know about the birth of a new child in the royal family. For Kate and William, the Queen was the first to know of the births of their three children.
Once the Queen was informed about the birth, she could permit the couple to show the child off to the public. All the details of royal births must be treated as intimate secrets. If anyone violates this rule, the consequences might be dire.
Don’t Cross Legs When Sitting
The members of the royal family shouldn’t sit with their legs crossed since this is against the rules. Instead, Kate and other members must have their legs touching side-by-side when they sit.
The legs should be slightly tilted to the side, which is known as the “Duchess slant.” Kate must always sit in this position. In fact, every new member of the royal family must learn how to sit like this. Additionally, the chin must be parallel to the ground when royal members sit.
Wearing a Hat
All royal women must wear a hat when attending formal events. Kate must follow this royal protocol practiced since the 1950s. Royal women are considered respectable, and so they shouldn’t always expose their heads.
Royal women can only take off their hats after six pm. Kate can go bareheaded when attending evening events. If attending an official event, she can also wear a tiara.
Eating Speed
No matter how hungry Kate might be, she has to follow the dinner rules. No one should eat at a faster rate than the Queen. When all members of the royal family were gathered at the dinner table, the Queen took the lead in everything.
The Queen dictated every aspect of the meal, from when it starts to when it ends. Despite the Queen’s passing, Kate must still abide by this rule, even though Charles is now King.
Use of Social Media
No royal members are allowed to be active social media users. Kate mustn’t have social media accounts since this is against all family members’ rules.
Instead, Kate must be part of the royal family’s official accounts used for communication. Any form of communication outside this channel isn’t allowed.
Colorful Manicure
Royal members aren’t allowed to wear colored nails or heavy makeup. They must appear clean and natural, so, they’re prohibited from using artificial decorations to improve their appearance.
The royal family’s dress code states that members mustn’t wear bold colors like dark purple or red on their nails. They can only consider neutral nail colors that don’t exaggerate their appearances.
Public Conduct
We’ve already covered that when Kate moves around with her husband in public, she shouldn’t be too affectionate since this will be a violation of the royal family rules. But, in general, royal members must always appear professional wherever they go.
Royals are expected to behave in a dignified manner. They’re also not allowed to take selfies in public. Apparently, the late Queen felt that people looking at their phones around her was disrespectful.
Sign Autographs
For security reasons, Kate isn’t allowed to sign autographs. Her signature can be forged and used for other sinister activities. A royal family member can only use their signature when they sign royal and legal documents.
Kate’s signature is kept a secret, just like the signature of other royal members. She can, however, sign a visitor’s book, which isn’t accessible to everyone.
Accepting Gifts
There are strict rules that govern the royals in terms of accepting gifts. When the royals engage with different people or visit different places, they’re often showered with gifts, but some rules determine the gifts they can or can’t accept.
All hospitality or service gifts that place the royal member in a bad light are prohibited. The royal members can accept gifts from public bodies such as charities or armed services. They can only accept smaller gifts like flowers, books, or any gift below £150. Buckingham Palace publishes all gifts received by royal members.
Public Photography
Royal members mustn’t pose for photos with members of the public whenever they want. They should keep a safe distance from members of the public to maintain their dignity and safety.
Royals can politely turn down the request for selfies or photographs since they focus on engagement when in public. However, they can pose for photographs if they don’t violate the rules.
Some Words Can’t Be Used
Certain words can’t be used within the royal palace. For instance, a royal can’t use the words “toilet,” “patio,” “pardon,” “living room,” “posh,” “perfume,” and “couch.” Kate took great pains to adjust her speaking habits when she joined the royal family.
However, some habits aren’t very easy to forget, such as using slang and other colloquial words. This means Kate has to constantly monitor her speech before uttering any word. It takes the term “think before you speak” to a whole new level!
Wear Long Skirts
Like all royal ladies, Kate must wear long skirts and avoid skimpy dresses that expose other body parts. Royals must dress modestly and make sure their body parts aren’t exposed.
Kate’s skirts must always be knee-length or even longer. Pantyhose had to be worn in front of the Queen. All royal ladies must strictly follow a dress code, and they’re not allowed to wear sleeveless tops.
Dresses Must be Weighted Down
Kate must wear dresses or skirts that are weighted down to prevent a situation where the wind blows them. Royal ladies are dignified women, so they must not be embarrassed in public when the wind blows their skirts.
Kate’s dresses must be custom-made to ensure they suit her stature. She must look for a tailor who knows how to put weights around the hem of the dress.
No Traveling Alone
Kate isn’t supposed to travel alone under any circumstances. No matter how much one loves to travel, solo traveling is prohibited. According to the royal family rules, Kate was issued with protection officers the moment she got engaged to the Prince.
All royal family members must have security personnel around them at all times to prevent any possible harm. Even when going to a social event, Kate must always move around under the careful watch of a security detail.
No Hugging in Public
Practices like hugging members of the public by a member of the royal family are prohibited. When greeting public members, Kate isn’t supposed to hug them since this practice can demean the status of the royal family.
Instead, a polite way of greeting members of the public, such as a handshake, is acceptable. She’s supposed to maintain a respectable distance from people outside the royal family so that her status isn’t compromised.
Morning Sickness Is Publicized
Morning sickness caused by pregnancy is made public, and this happened to Kate Middleton during all three pregnancies. In the case of Kate, her morning sickness was terrible, so she had to seek clinical intervention.
When someone in the royal family like Kate suffers acute morning sickness, the world hears of the news because the condition may require medication, supplementary hydration, and nutrients. The royal family doesn’t hide such issues, which may be of public interest.
Modest Appearance
Apart from maintaining a modest dress code, Kate mustn’t lead a trendy lifestyle where she keeps pace with the latest fashions. She should keep her wardrobe to classic pieces to maintain her dignity.
Eccentric hairstyles aren’t allowed since they make her appearance trendy. According to the royal styling tradition, Kate must appear neat and casual.
No Fur Clothing Allowed
No fur clothing is allowed in the royal family. This is a 700-year-old rule mandated by King Edward III, which prohibited “hairy” garb.
Kate is supposed to keep her garment trimmed and avoid pieces with fur. The garments with animal fur must stay away from her wardrobe since this is an uncontested rule that has existed for several hundred years.
Wearing of Black Outfit
Every British Royal must have a black outfit to be worn during bereavement periods. The royal members must wear dark colors when a loved one dies to represent mourning. This has been the practice across Europe dating back to Roman times.
Even when they travel overseas, they should pack a few all-black clothes. When someone passes on, they will wear their attire when they return home.
Respect Other Cultures
Kate Middleton is supposed to respect other cultures wherever she goes. She often travels to different countries on royal duties and is supposed to respect everyone she meets during the trip.
If one is a royal member, one is supposed to honor one’s hosts when one visits different places. For example, Kate can wear colors that resemble the hosting country’s flag or national colors. Royals must never disappoint when they interact with people from different backgrounds.
Observe the Cutlery Rules
Royals have specific dining rules they must always follow. According to cutlery etiquette, Kate and other royal family members must hold the fork in their left hand and their knife in their right hand.
When eating, noise isn’t tolerated. For instance, the annoying sound of chewing food is frowned upon, and members mustn’t talk while eating. The scrapping of plates with cutlery isn’t tolerated either.
Firm Handshake
All royals must give a firm handshake when greeting others. Every family member must observe this protocol, and they get etiquette lessons. A firm handshake must consist of two or three pumps with open palms.
The thumbs must be facing down when shaking hands. Another rule is that Kate must first offer a handshake to the members of the public instead of the other way around. The royals must maintain their dignity, so they choose which people to greet.
No Nicknames Allowed
Royal family members aren’t supposed to use nicknames within the palace walls. Instead, they should address each other by their titles and names. This rule applies indoors.
Each royal member has a unique name that can be used publicly. Newspapers can also use nicknames to refer to the royal members, which isn’t seen as an offense.
Never Turn Your Back on the Queen
The Queen, and now King, is the supreme ruler and head of state, so Kate should never turn her back on them. You would be considered rude if you were to turn your back on the ruling Monarch. When Kate is engaged in a discussion with the Monarch, she has no right to turn away.
Even when the Monarch finishes speaking, Kate must pay attention. The right thing is for her to wait until they’re finished; this is when she can walk away.
Lessons on Manners
All royals must prioritize this etiquette and attend private lessons to learn different things. All royal children must undergo private lessons to master different things about royal etiquette.
Kate’s children must undergo private lessons, so they understand the rules. There’s no compromise on the rules in the royal family. She should also encourage her children to behave acceptably.
Christmas Rules
Christmas has its rules that must be adhered to by all royal members. While other people might like to gift their loved ones lavish presents, the British monarch prefers to keep it simple.
All Christmas gifts must be bought out of love, not driven by the desire to impress. Another rule that Kate must know is that all gifts can only be opened on Christmas Eve. No early opening of gifts, no matter what.
Wearing Pants
Kate must know that royal boys can only wear long pants when they reach the age of eight. This is treated as a special celebration that signals the transition from boyhood to manhood. Before the eighth birthday, princes must wear shorts appropriate for the royal family.
The practice of young boys wearing pants has always been seen as uncultured. In the royal family, all parents must know when their boys must start wearing trousers. With two sons, Kate will need to keep this in mind.
Wearing of Jeans
Jeans aren’t prohibited in the royal family. They do, however, follow a strict dress code. This is one important rule Kate must familiarize herself with: to wear jeans in moderation. Casual jeans can only be worn on appropriate occasions.
The royals can wear jeans during their downtime, but can’t wear them at Wimbledon within the Royal Box, for example. Anyone wearing denim jeans can’t enter the box.
Prohibition of Gender Reveal Parties
Celebrities often hold gender reveal parties when a new baby is on the way. However, royals aren’t allowed to host such parties. The public isn’t allowed to know the gender of any royal unborn baby.
The gender of the newborn baby can only be made public after birth. The ruling monarch must be the first one to learn about the child’s gender. Even some royal members are kept in the dark for months about the child’s gender until the monarch has found out.
Eating Around
The palace treats security issues seriously, and one way to ensure the safety of members is the rule against eating everywhere. Members of the royal family aren’t allowed to eat meals outside of officially sanctioned events.
The rule of eating unsanctioned is designed to eliminate the risks associated with food poisoning. All foods must be approved before the royals taste them. Unlike us, Kate can’t just eat out as she wishes.
No Plane Share Rides
Royals must not undertake shared plane rides, especially the two heirs to the throne. Unfortunately, things like fatal crashes can’t be completely avoided, which is why this rule is implemented.
Kate and William can travel together but aren’t allowed to be on the same plane with other heirs. Similarly, the royals can’t embark on unsanctioned trips by the palace to protect their safety.
Royals Should Wear Uniforms
During special occasions, the royals must wear their relevant uniforms. This rule applies to both Prince William and Prince Harry, who have served in the army.
For instance, this rule applies during life events like weddings, funerals, and other official events. So, Kate knows that he must wear his uniform on special occasions. Therefore, she has to ensure with the palace staff that her husband’s uniform is clean and ready for him.
Whether you’re British or not, odds are you know something about the British royal family. They’re worldwide public icons, and part of being royalty is owning lots of gorgeous homes and palaces, many of which held great historical significance in the past. From Kensington Palace to Clarence House, here’s a compilation featuring every royal palace that the British family owns.